PsyPost

New study delves into the mating psychology of involuntarily celibate men

There has been extensive media coverage on the mating psychology of incels in recent years. However, most of the commentary has been speculative given the lack of empirical research on the topic. The first formal investigation of this subject has revealed that contrary to mainstream narratives, incel-identifying men report lower minimum standards for mate preferences compared to non-incel men, among other interesting findings. This research was published in The Journal of Sex Research. “The incel topic in general interested me because finding and retaining a mate represent persistent adaptive ...

A disturbing number of TikTok videos about autism include claims that are “patently false,” study finds

Content related to autism on TikTok appears to have a significant and widespread audience but the majority of the information provided in these videos is not aligned with the current scientific understanding of autism, according to new research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an individual’s social interaction, communication skills, behavior, and interests. ASD encompasses a wide range of symptoms and levels of impairment, which is why it is referred to as a “spe...

Scientists use AI to uncover the deep connection between self-relevance and art appreciation

A team of scientists recently utilized generative AI software to demonstrate a strong link between self-relevance and what people find visually attractive in art. The findings, published in Psychological Science, provide evidence that when a piece of art is connected to something meaningful in our own lives, we’re more likely to perceive it as aesthetically appealing, independent of the specific qualities of the artwork itself. Aesthetic judgments of faces and natural landscapes tend to be relatively consistent across individuals, but shared taste in art accounts for only a small percentage (1...

Large study links sugary carbonated drinks to increased risk of depression

A study published in Scientific Reports, based on longitudinal data from tens of thousands of South Korean adults, has found that increased consumption of sugary carbonated beverages is linked to a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms, irrespective of weight or blood sugar factors. While metabolic issues like obesity and insulin resistance were initially believed to be potential mechanisms, the research indicated that the association persisted even beyond these factors. “Excessive consumption of added sugars through carbonated drinks is not just a problem in Western society,” said study au...

Weight-lifting might help heal trauma through a sense of mind-body connection

In a new qualitative study, weight lifters who experienced psychological trauma shared that weight lifting helped them recover from their emotional pain by creating a strong connection between their mind and body. While their traumatic experiences had caused them to feel disconnected from themselves and others, weight lifting helped them become a healthier, more empowered, and connected trauma survivor. The study was published in Mental Health and Physical Activity. Psychological trauma is a severe emotional response to a distressing event or series of events that overwhelms an individual’s ab...

Mega project raises questions about psychological scientists’ accuracy in predicting societal change

How accurate are psychological scientists in predicting societal change? A series of four studies published in American Psychologist suggest that psychologists are no better at such predictions compared to laypeople. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it media appearances of psychologists discussing their predictions regarding what changes we ought to expect in various domains of life. However, these predictions were often outside their area of expertise. Across a series of four studies, Igor Grossmann, PhD (@psywisdom) and colleagues looked into the accuracy of psychologists and ...

The “need for chaos” is linked to the sharing of conspiracy theories, study finds

New research suggests that a psychological concept known as “the need for chaos” plays a bigger role than partisanship and ideology in the sharing of conspiracy theories on the internet. The study, published in Research & Politics, indicates that individuals driven by a desire to disrupt and challenge established systems are more inclined to share conspiracy theories. The study was authored by Christina Farhart (assistant professor, Carleton College), Erin Fitz (PhD candidate, Colorado State University), Joanne Miller (professor, University of Delaware), and Kyle Saunders (professor, Colorado ...

Social connectedness amplifies the tendency to attribute human traits to robots

A series of three studies conducted in China explored the connection between how connected people feel to others and robot anthropomorphism (their tendency to see robots as having human-like qualities). The researchers found that when individuals felt more socially connected, they were more likely to think of robots as having human traits. This was especially true for people who were genuinely interested in interacting with robots. The research was published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human-like characteristics, emotions, inte...

New study links mindfulness meditation and psychedelic use to positive leadership outcomes at work

Mindfulness meditation and psychedelic use might produce positive leadership outcomes among business managers, according to new research published in Frontiers in Psychology. The preliminary study sheds light on the potential impact of mindfulness meditation and psychedelic use on leadership development. The study was motivated by anecdotal reports of individuals using altered states for peak performance and leadership growth, with a specific focus on mindfulness meditation and psychedelics like LSD. Despite the increasing popularity of these interventions, there was limited empirical data on ...

Study suggests ‘high sensitivity’ label is used by narcissists and psychopaths as a manipulative tactic

Research published in Psychological Reports suggests that labeling oneself as a “highly sensitive person” can sometimes be a manipulative tactic used by individuals with dark personality traits, particularly narcissism and psychopathy, to sway others’ behavior and gain advantages. The researchers conducted this study to better understand the construct known as sensory processing sensitivity, which refers to individual differences in sensitivity to internal and external stimuli. This trait is popularly known as being a “highly sensitive person” in public discourse, and some individuals identify...

Psychology study indicates that narcissists are more involved in politics than the rest of us

Those higher in narcissism are disproportionately taking part in the democratic process, according to new research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.The study found a positive correlation between narcissism and political participation. In other words: The more narcissistic someone is, the more likely they are to contact politicians, sign petitions, donate money, and vote in midterm elections.“We have entered into an ‘Age of Entitlement’ and a ‘post-truth’ world that combine to form an unprecedented cultural movement where large portions of the public pursue self-interest ...

Horror fandom linked to reduced psychological distress amid the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study has found that people who enjoy horror movies tend to report lower levels of psychological distress in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. The findings, published in Personality and Individual Differences, indicate that the type of fiction a person enjoys is related to how they cope with the pandemic.The authors of the study were interested in learning more about why people intentionally expose themselves to fictional violence and frightening situations. The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 provided them with a chance to examine the psychological dispositions of people who are fond of such...

Belief in chloroquine’s effectiveness is linked to reduced willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine, study finds

People who believe that the antimalarial drug chloroquine is an effective remedy against COVID-19 are less likely to say they will receive a vaccination for the virus when one is available, according to new research published in Frontiers in Psychology.The new study indicates that various conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are associated with a reduced willingness to vaccinate.The lead author of the study, Paul Bertin (@PaulBertin_), is a PhD student at the Université Côte d’Azur in France who has been studying conspiracy theories and their relations to group identities.“When the COVID-19 pand...

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